Aldo launches first TikTok campaign with #StepIntoLove challenge

The footwear chain is offering $5,000 to the winner of the contest, which is being promoted in an influencer campaign targeting Gen Z.

By Robert Williams • Aug. 11, 2020

Microsoft's bid to buy TikTok: A 'head-scratcher' or surprisingly sensible?

Some analysts think an acquisition would make a poor match. But areas of Microsoft's business, like LinkedIn, key into potentially overlooked synergies.

By Peter Adams • Aug. 11, 2020

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Retail Marketing

Top stories that underscore the leading influences on retail marketing, including Gen Z, pop culture and generative AI.

By Marketing Dive staff

Dunkin' offers up branded RV in social media sweepstakes

The brand is capitalizing on the popularity of recreational vehicle travel during the pandemic to promote a new line of cold teas.

By Dianna Christie • Aug. 11, 2020

WSJ: Twitter discusses merger with TikTok's US operations

A potential Twitter deal would add an interesting fold to the narrative considering the company's history with Vine, a pioneering video app it shuttered in 2017.

By Robert Williams • Aug. 10, 2020

Consumers favor smartphones for back-to-school shopping, study finds

Shoppers are more budget-minded during the pandemic, with the portion of people planning to spend less than $500 growing to 86%.

By Robert Williams • Aug. 10, 2020

Google expands Ad Manager for programmatic audio placements

Audio streaming services Spotify and TuneIn are using Ad Manager to sell programmatic audio ad inventory.

By Robert Williams • Aug. 10, 2020

LG showcases new Velvet 5G phone in documentary film series

Shot using the new smartphone, interviews of the directors for each film will run on Instagram Live and IGTV starting this week.

By Dianna Christie • Aug. 10, 2020

Study: Fewer marketers expect UK mobile ad market to grow amid pandemic

Reduced estimates follow a period of strong growth for the region, and arrive even as engagement with mobile channels soars among locked-down people.

By Robert Williams • Aug. 10, 2020

'American Idol' creator Simon Fuller partners with TikTok in search for next pop supergroup

The Spice Girls impresario will look for undiscovered artists to participate in the global music collective, making them "the most connected pop group ever."

By Robert Williams • Aug. 10, 2020

Michaels adds new perks to its rewards program

The arts and crafts retailer aims to strengthen relationships with its customers digitally.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Aug. 7, 2020

Transactions with WeChat, TikTok banned under new Trump orders

A new executive order sets a formal deadline of Nov. 12 for ByteDance to divest TikTok's U.S. operations and any data obtained on U.S. users through the social video app or its predecessor, Musical.ly.

By Peter Adams • Updated Aug. 17, 2020

You & Mr Jones buys influencer marketing agency Collectively

Following a pandemic-related slowdown in influencer marketing earlier this year, a recovery appears to be underway as brands seek ways to reach homebound consumers.

By Robert Williams • Aug. 7, 2020

Peloton restructures marketing around 2 new leadership roles

Karina Kogan will oversee global marketing for products while Dara Treseder will set strategy around brand building, company growth and international expansion.

By Dianna Christie • Aug. 7, 2020

Care Bears appear in Jam City's 'Panda Pop' mobile game

Adding exclusive content for the hit app signals how traditional children's brands are leveraging their popularity for an audience of mobile gamers.

By Robert Williams • Aug. 7, 2020

The untapped potential for OTT and mobile

App developers and advertisers can't afford to ignore video streaming, with revenue in the space set to reach $30.4 billion by 2024 and big players like Disney and Amazon betting big, writes Adjust's Bill Kiriakis.

By Bill Kiriakis • Aug. 7, 2020

Spin Live launches shoppable video service in Shopify's app store

LJS Brand saw a 15% sales lift after using Spin Live's app to work with influencers and create special promotions in livestreams.

By Robert Williams • Aug. 6, 2020

Social media sees drop in customer satisfaction amid privacy worries, study says

Despite a surge in online activity during the pandemic, customer satisfaction declined for Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Twitter and YouTube.

By Robert Williams • Aug. 6, 2020

Instagram looks to steal TikTok's thunder with worldwide expansion of Reels

The platform has launched ads on Reels worldwide. The ads loop, can be up to 30 seconds long and will be available across the app.

By Robert Williams • Updated June 17, 2021

Jose Cuervo taps Lil Dicky to host first episode of live YouTube series

The five-week series, "Who's Making Margs?," will bring viewers inside a new celebrity host's home each week to mix drinks and compete for prizes.

By Dianna Christie • Aug. 6, 2020

Zynga acquires hypercasual game maker Rollic for $168M

Zynga's sales have soared during the pandemic, with revenue up 47% in Q2 results released around the acquisition's announcement.

By Robert Williams • Aug. 6, 2020

Podcast dealmaking is exploding in 2020 — and marketing dollars will follow

A deluge of deals this year, including Omnicom inking an unprecedented $20 million ad pact with Spotify, signal the medium's ascendance will continue as consumers favor mobile-first content.

Updated Dec. 21, 2020

Macy's enlists influencers for its 'Style Crew'

Previously only available to employee ambassadors, the retailer's program now includes fashion and beauty buffs and shoppable content.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Aug. 5, 2020

Burberry opens 1st 'Social Retail' store in China

The luxury retailer partnered with Tencent on a concept shop that blends social media interactions with an in-store experience.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Aug. 5, 2020

TikTok helps Gen Z learn about social justice issues, study finds

Social activism posts on the platform have urged 54% of Gen Zers to engage in deeper discussions with family and friends.

By Robert Williams • Aug. 5, 2020

Auntie Anne's rolls out recliner in mobile ordering push

Fans of the soft-rolled pretzel chain can win a reclining chair that places delivery orders with the pull of a lever.

By Robert Williams • Aug. 5, 2020